Houthis threaten all flights, spark global aviation panic

DDM News

The Houthi movement in Yemen has issued a fresh declaration classifying all routes leading to the country’s airspace as military danger zones, escalating fears over regional air travel and humanitarian access.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the statement was made by Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree, who emphasized that any aircraft attempting to access Yemeni airspace without prior coordination would be treated as a potential target.

“We classify all routes leading to Yemeni airspace as dangerous zones that may be targeted,” Saree stated on Thursday.

This move comes as tensions rise in the Red Sea and the surrounding region, where the Houthis have increasingly been in the spotlight for their confrontational posture, especially toward the Saudi-led coalition and its allies.

The Houthis, who have controlled much of northern Yemen since 2014, including the capital, Sana’a, have carried out various drone and missile attacks over the years.

These attacks have reached major infrastructure targets in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, including airports.

According to aviation analysts, this latest pronouncement could pose severe risks to both commercial and humanitarian aviation.

Several airlines are already reviewing or suspending routes that cross Yemeni airspace.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has issued a statement noting that it is closely monitoring developments and has advised all airlines to prioritize passenger and crew safety.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) expressed concern over the potential consequences for humanitarian efforts.

Yemen remains one of the world’s most severely affected countries in terms of humanitarian need, with millions reliant on aid deliveries that could be disrupted by these new flight restrictions.

UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, has called for restraint and urged all parties to ensure the safety of civilian air traffic and unimpeded humanitarian access.

Though no aircraft have yet been targeted under this new directive, aviation experts warn that the classification could lead to further isolation for Yemen and complicate peace efforts.

The announcement comes amid ongoing efforts to broker a long-term truce between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition, following a fragile ceasefire that expired last year.

Yemen’s civil war began in 2014 when the Houthis seized Sana’a, prompting a military intervention by Saudi Arabia and several allies in early 2015.

The war has since devastated the country, displacing millions and causing mass hunger, disease outbreaks, and economic collapse.

The latest threat from the Houthis is seen by many as a direct response to what they claim is increasing surveillance and military provocations by coalition forces.

With commercial airlines on alert and humanitarian groups expressing concern, global attention is once again fixed on Yemen’s complex and dangerous skies.

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